A Promise on a Mountain: My Path to an MSCA Fellowship

Starting My MSCA Journey

A research career isn’t always smooth sailing. Mine has been full of twists and turns. Like many researchers, I’ve had moments of self-doubt and dealt with imposter syndrome. But I’ve always tried to stay positive and proactive, and so far, it’s paid off.

There was a time when I thought my research journey was over. After finishing my MSc, I spent four years away from academia and doubted whether I could get back in. Opportunities felt limited, especially coming from the Global South. But one day, on a trip organized by the school where I worked, standing at the top of the Lost City in Santa Marta, Colombia, I made a promise to myself: I would give my dream of pursuing a research career another shot.

In 2014 I was fortunate to get a Colombian PhD scholarship to study active isoprene-degrading microbes using DNA-SIP in the UK. Returning to research felt daunting, but I took small steps and was fortunate to have an excellent pedigree of PhD and postdoc supervisors and mentors who guided my journey back into academia.

Deciding to Write a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Proposal

After successfully returning to research, last year I reached another pivotal moment in my career. After 3 postdoctoral placements and considering my ‘PhD-age’ (the years since completing my PhD) I knew I needed to focus on securing an independent fellowship to stay in academia and build my own research group.

My mentor and PhD supervisor, with whom I’ve maintained a strong relationship, encouraged me to explore opportunities at the VOLT Center based at the University of Copenhagen (KU). He introduced me to Professor Riikka Rinnan and VOLT, a Center of Excellence for research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The work being done there inspired me, and I knew this was a place where I could contribute meaningfully while learning and growing.

Attending the KU MSCA workshop in summer 2023 was a turning point. Learning and writing a fellowship grant proposal with the support of a dedicated team, proofreading support from supervisors and mentors, was a new and enriching experience. I also realized that the MSCA Independent Fellowship was the perfect fit for my aspirations, providing both the autonomy and resources to design my own research.

Why the MSCA?

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Fellowship stood out for several reasons. Its bottom-up approach allowed me to craft a proposal that aligned with my vision, free from restrictive grant parameters. It’s also a prestigious program, offering not just mobility and family allowances but also the opportunity to collaborate and grow with leading researchers and working groups.

Applying for the MSCA was both a challenge and a source of pride. After submitting my proposal in September 2023, I spent months revisiting my work, fine-tuning the ideas, and preparing for the possibility of rejection. When the acceptance email arrived in February 2024, it was a moment of pure joy for me and the team—a validation of the hard work that had gone into crafting something I believed in.

The Transition to Denmark

Moving to Denmark to start my fellowship was a big decision for my family and me. We left behind a familiar life in the UK to embrace new opportunities and challenges. Adjusting to Danish life has been exciting: learning the language, enjoying hygge moments (a Danish word for cozy, contented times), work/life balance, and indulging in Danish treats like tebirkes and jordbærtærte. Our daughter has started attending a Danish kindergarten, and we’ve fallen in love with the parks and cultural landmarks like the Little Mermaid.

Building My Research at VOLT

Two months into my fellowship, I already feel a sense of ownership over my project. Writing the proposal myself has deepened my understanding of its aims and potential. I’ve started exciting new work, from collecting sub-Arctic soil and plant samples in Abisko to learning advanced techniques like PTR-MS analysis, which helps measure volatile organic compounds in real time, and planning some exciting isotopic labeling experiments using 13C-isoprene to track isoprene-degrading microbes within their environment.

Collaboration has been a highlight of my experience at VOLT. The center’s expertise in soil/plants VOC cycling complements my background in isoprene-degradation and DNA-SIP, enabling me to bring a fresh perspective to ongoing research. I’ve also begun co-supervising/training a PhD student, helping to organize a PhD course, and also helping colleagues design some potential isotope experiments. From the outreach side I have participated on a 'Meet the Scientist' video for VOLT, helped write a piece for AMI (Applied Microbiology International) and even participated in a KU BIO postdoc photo competition. These opportunities reaffirm the importance of my contributions while opening doors to new learning and connections.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, there’s so much to look forward to. I’m eager to further my research on isoprene-degrading microbes from sub-Arctic environments and share these findings in upcoming blogs and publications. Beyond the lab, we’re planning to design an interactive educational tool for children to explore the impact of carbon emissions on climate change.

As I prepare for conferences and draft manuscripts/grants for 2025, I also think about future applications of the work from the μ-Arctic project, I see the potential to build a research group focused on these emerging ideas. It’s early days, but the journey ahead feels full of possibility.

Reflections

The path to an MSCA Fellowship wasn’t linear, but it has been deeply rewarding. For anyone considering this route, I hope my story resonates. Research is not just about the work we do but the long-lasting communities/connections we build and the impact we create. If my journey teaches anything, it’s that perseverance, collaboration, and a bit of courage can open doors you never imagined. That day atop the Lost City, I made a promise—and in doing so, I somehow paved the path that would bring me here. Take that first step; you never know what heights you’ll reach.